Cut Flowers Research Articles (Page 1)

Exogenous Epibrassinolide Mitigates Chilling Injury in Anthurium Cut Flowers Via GABA Shunt Regulation and Osmolyte Accumulation

Gladiolus is one of the most important lucrative cut flower crops that is cultivated globally, valued for its diverse spike shapes, sizes and vibrant colour combinations. Gladiolus, with its inherent heterozygosity, is well-suited for polyploid induction and the development of new genotypes. Colchicine serves as the most widely utilized antimitotic agent for inducing polyploidy by inhibiting spindle fibre formation. Owing to its high ornamental value, the present study was undertaken to induce colchicine in Gladiolus grandiflorus L. variety “Arka Amar” and to assess its effects through detailed observational analysis. The corms of this variety were treated by immersing them in colchicine solutions of different concentrations. The treatments consisted of four colchicine concentrations (0% as control, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) in combination with three exposure durations of 24, 36, and 48 hours for the corms. These treatments were evaluated in factorial completely randomized design (FCRD) with three replications. Colchicine at 0.2% for 24 hrs enhanced the ornamental quality of gladiolus by increasing floret diameter, number of florets, floret length, spike length and field life. However, the increase in colchicine concentration or exposure duration resulted in reduced survival and flowering percentage of corms. Higher concentrations of colchicine were associated with a prolonged delay in corm sprouting, spike initiation and first floret opening. Compared to other treatments, 0.2% colchicine resulted in the highest measurements of plant height, number of leaves, sprouts per corm, rachis internodal length and leaf width. The findings of this study highlight the effectiveness of colchicine in promoting advantageous traits in gladiolus, offering opportunities for breeding new varieties with improved traits.

This study evaluated the physiological, biochemical traits, molecular responses, and vase life of cut Alstroemeria hybrida ‘Amatista’ in response to preharvest applications of putrescine and melatonin. A factorial experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments included foliar sprays of putrescine (0, 1.5, and 3 mM), melatonin (0, 50, and 100 µM), and four postharvest sampling times (0, 5, 10, and 15 days). Measured parameters included chlorophyll index, relative fresh weight, solution uptake, ion leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, vase life, and the relative expression of chlorophyllase (CHL) and ACC oxidase (ACO) genes. Postharvest senescence was associated with a time-dependent decline in chlorophyll index, water content, and solution uptake, along with increased ion leakage, MDA, H₂O₂ levels, and PPO activity. However, preharvest application of putrescine and melatonin effectively delayed these detrimental changes. Notably, the combined application of 1.5 mM putrescine and 50 µM melatonin resulted in the greatest improvement in postharvest performance, extending vase life from 16.00 to 23.66 days and enhancing physiological and biochemical traits. Moreover, gene expression analysis indicated that these treatments suppressed the expression of CHL and ACO, suggesting a molecular mechanism involved in delayed senescence. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of putrescine and melatonin as eco-friendly preharvest treatments to improve the postharvest quality and longevity of cut Alstroemeria flowers by modulating key physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-025-07530-6.

Hydrangea, a widely used ornamental plant in landscaping, is routinely featured but has recently gained popularity as a potted plant and for use in both fresh and dried cut flower products. The research established an appropriate sterilization method for six distinct types of plant explants. The pretreatment consisted of Carbendazim and Mancozeb fungicides applied alone and in combination with various concentrations and timings to evaluate their performance in front of surface sterilization treatments with 0.1 % HgCl2 and 0.5 % NaOCl utilized at different exposure durations and concentrations. The combined fungicide treatment of explants with 0.2 % for 30 min followed by HgCl₂ and NaOCl sterilization proved effective at controlling both fungal (11.67 %), bacterial (1.67 %) infection, total contamination levels (13.33 %) and achieved the highest survival percentage increase (86.67 %). Surface sterilization with HgCl2 for 6 min followed by NaOCl at 2 min applied to H. macrophylla nodes and internodes and shoot tip explants led to the highest survival (85.54 %) while generating cultures with minimal overall contamination (3.97 % bacterial and 96.03 % aseptic), accompanied by low mortality (10.49 %). The combination of HgCl2 for 5 min with NaOCl for 2 min produced the most aseptic leaf cultures (85.10 %) with (68.33 %) leaf explant survival while minimizing total infections (15.00 %) between microorganisms.

Protective role of foliar-applied melatonin against gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) in gerbera cut flower: A biochemical and pathological Insight

Gerbera is one of the four most important cut flowers worldwide, ranking fourth among cut flowers beyond roses, chrysanthemums, and tulips. Utilizing essential oils (EOs) as preservative material to control bacterial and fungal contamination, as well as to reduce postharvest quality loss in several cut flowers is a necessity in recent days. It was thought of investigating mixtures of essential oils to maximize their benefits in preserving cut flowers. Four different mixtures of essential oils were examined to preserve Gerbera jamesonii L. cv. Froza cut inflorescence. They were Cumin oil (150 µlL− 1) and Peppermint oil (150 µlL− 1) [T2], Cumin oil (150 µlL− 1) and Nigella oil (150 µlL− 1) [T3], Clove oil (150 µlL− 1) and Anise oil (150 µlL− 1) [T4], and Lavender oil (150 µlL− 1) and Thyme oil (150 µlL− 1) [T5], while the control cut inflorescences were held in distilled water and 0.5 µlL− 1 of tween-20 [T1]. The utilized mixtures effectively prolonged the vase life of Gerbera cut inflorescences. They also maintained the fresh and dry weights of the cut inflorescences, enhanced the water relations, raised the inflorescence and scape diameters, and preserved the total contents of anthocyanins and carbohydrates. They dramatically decreased the growth of microorganisms in the vase solution. The combination of cumin oil and nigella oil was the most effective mixture in most of the studied characteristics. This mixture could extend the vase life of Gerbera cut inflorescences by approximately 7 days, rather than the control. Applying various mixtures of essential oils is a novel field that requires further studies and analysis.

Silencing the microtubule-associated protein PlWDL2 in herbaceous peony led to a decrease in stem strength by affecting xylem development. Stem strength is an important factor affecting the quality of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) cut flowers. To investigate the effect of microtubule-associated proteins on P. lactiflora stem strength, we identified PlWDL2, a WAVE-DAMPENED 2/WAVE-DAMPENED 2-LIKE (WVD2/WDL) family gene encoding a 340 amino acid protein with conserved KLEEK motif. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that PlWDL2 expression was progressively upregulated during P. lactiflora stem development. In vitro co-sedimentation assays confirmed microtubule-binding capacity of PlWDL2 and its intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) though IDRs exhibited attenuated binding correlated with shorter hydrophobic patches. Additionally, the PlWDL2-silenced P. lactiflora exhibited decreased stem strength. Further microstructure observation of the stems showed that xylem thickness, number of layers, and the proportion of xylem area and xylem cell area in the PlWDL2-silenced P. lactiflora were significantly reduced. These findings demonstrate that the microtubule-associated protein PlWDL2 enhances stem strength in P. lactiflora by promoting xylem development. This study lays a foundation for future studies on the mechanism of P. lactiflora stem development from the relationship between microtubule-associated proteins and microtubules.

ABSTRACT Stem-end splitting is a postharvest challenge for geophyte cut flowers like Fritillaria imperialis, undermining its visual allure and complicating packaging as stem edges curl and disrupt the flower’s pristine appeal. This study introduces an optimized treatment of 0.15M sucrose with 0.2mM cobalt chloride (CoCl₂) as an effective solution for entirely preventing stem-base splitting without adverse side effects. While distilled water accentuated splitting, the 0.1 M sucrose + 0.2 mM CoCl₂ treatment (with 0.15 M sucrose being isotonic to the stem’s osmotic potential) eliminated the problem, highlighting electrical conductivity and osmotic balance as key factors. The 0.15M sucrose treatment enhanced postharvest longevity by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, reducing hydrogen peroxide content, enhancing MSI, elevating soluble protein content, minimizing a-amino acid content and lowering SPA. The delay in senescence was achieved by downregulating key senescence-associated genes, including LOX1, SAG12, and AAO3, while simultaneously upregulating DAD1. This regulatory interplay significantly enhanced antioxidant defenses mitigated oxidative damage, and prolonged vase life. This approach offers a straightforward, cost-effective, and robust strategy to maintain postharvest quality in F. imperialis and similar geophytes, addressing critical challenges in flower longevity. This method holds strong potential to enhance marketability and consumer satisfaction by ensuring improved durability and aesthetic appeal.

Roses are among the most economically important cut flowers globally, yet their production is severely impacted by two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae), which cause extensive damage and reduce marketability. This study evaluated the efficacy of silicon nano-chelate (N-Si) in suppressing mite populations and enhancing plant defenses in two rose cultivars, 'Jumilia' and 'Samurai', under controlled greenhouse conditions. A factorial experiment with six replicates was conducted. N-Si was applied at 2 mL L⁻¹ as a foliar spray every 10 days, while untreated plants served as controls. Results showed that N-Si significantly reduced mite populations, with egg, nymph, and adult counts declining by up to 67.5%, 98.4%, and 73.5%, respectively, after eight applications. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed clear separation between treated and control samples, highlighting N-Si's significant influence on both pest suppression and plant physiological traits. N-Si application increased cell wall thickness by 64.4%, contributing to mechanical resistance against mite feeding, with 'Jumilia' showing the highest structural reinforcement. Nutrient concentrations of silicon, calcium, and boron were significantly elevated in treated plants, particularly in 'Samurai'. Photosynthetic pigments, including chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids, increased by up to 28.3%, indicating improved physiological performance. Leaf area also expanded by 13.4% with N-Si, with 'Jumilia' exhibiting greater growth than 'Samurai'. These findings demonstrate that N-Si enhances plant resilience through multiple defense mechanisms while effectively managing spider mite infestations, offering a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides in rose cultivation.

Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.), a short-day plant commonly cultivated as a cut flower, depends on proper lighting management to obtain long stems and higher commercial value. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effect of modifying the light spectrum through the installation of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and the use of colored shade nets on the production and quality of Canada goldenrod stems. The treatments used were colored shade nets and different LED lighting treatments. Production per plant and productivity per square meter were determined. Twenty stems were selected and evaluated for: stem length; inflorescence length and width; number of floral ramets per inflorescence; number of leaves; stem base diameter (mm); and fresh stem biomass (g). Canada goldenrod plants require an extension of the light period with artificial lighting to produce higher-quality stems, regardless of whether the bulbs emit red or white light. The use of nets with 50% red and white shading promoted higher production and elongation of Canada goldenrod stems, with a production that reached up to 4.2 floral stems per plant and 100.3 floral stems per square meter using the red shade net and white LED. These floral stems were of high commercial standard, with a length of up to 81.35 cm with the red shade net and red LED, and were 31 cm in diameter for the inflorescences, approximately, under black or white shade nets and white or red LEDs. More robust floral stems with greater biomass were observed using any shade net color and LED lamps.

In recent decades there has been a huge increase in the export of cut flowers from countries in Africa and elsewhere to European flower markets, with the vast majority first entering the Netherlands for local use or for export. Coincidentally, three significant livestock disease outbreaks caused by viruses associated with Africa or other tropical regions were first detected in the Netherlands (bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8), 2006, and BTV-3, 2023) and in western Germany about 200 km from the Netherlands border (Schmallenberg virus, SBV, 2011). This study aimed to determine whether Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), the vectors of BTV and SBV, are present within flower-packaging plants in East Africa, and therefore whether Culicoides could be unknowingly exported during the shipping of cut flowers. Field sampling was undertaken at a flower-packaging facility in Kenya, East Africa. The facility undertook all stages of cut flower production from maintaining rootstock through to packaging and shipping to an airport for international export. Trapping was undertaken at each stage of production (rootstock, propagation, inside growing greenhouses, in the packing-house, inside cold-storage rooms, during transportation) using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Light Emitting Diode (LED) light traps. Hand-held aspirators were used to obtain individual insects directly from flowers and around composting sites, while emergence traps studied insect emergence from compost, leaf litter and flowers discarded at quality control checkpoints. A maximum nightly catch of 269 Culicoides was identified on a half-acre smallholding, containing 15 ruminants and 40 birds, located 20 m from the nearest greenhouse. The greatest numbers of Culicoides were trapped at a pond (n = 23) and leaf-litter compost site (n = 19) within the curtilage of the flower-packaging plant. Of the seven greenhouses sampled, three had Culicoides trapped overnight (mean = 4, range: 1-9), and no Culicoides were trapped in the propagation units. No Culicoides were trapped in the pack house, cold-store, or during transportation of the flowers to the airport for shipment. No Culicoides emerged from emergence traps or were trapped when aspirating directly from flowers. This is the first study to investigate whether Culicoides are present within flower packaging plants in Africa. The results highlight that although present in small numbers both outside and within greenhouses, the presence of Culicoides declined with each stage of production. Therefore, the risk of exporting Culicoides with packaged cut flowers is non-zero but likely very small.

Acaricide resistance and possible underlying biochemical mechanisms in the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, on cut flowers.

The limited job opportunities in rural areas result in limited career choices for the community. Farming becomes the primary option available in the village. Rural farmers often face constraints that hinder their productivity and welfare. These constraints include limited access to modern agricultural technology, limited capital, and difficulty in obtaining high-quality fertilizers, medicines, and seeds. This situation affects the economic condition of farmers in meeting their daily needs. The Agricultural Extension Agency brings new hope for improving farmers' welfare. This study aims to investigate the role and outcomes of economic empowerment conducted by the Agricultural Extension Agency in Sukaresmi Subdistrict towards Sugih Tani II Farmer Group through cut flower enterprise. This research employed a descriptive qualitative method. Data collection methods used were observation, interview, and documentation techniques. The data sources consisted of primary and secondary data. Purposive sampling technique was applied. Data analysis involved data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. Data validity was ensured through credibility testing, including persistent observation, triangulation, and peer discussion. The results showed that the Agricultural Extension Agency in Sukaresmi Subdistrict played facilitation, educational, representative, and technical roles in empowering the economy of Sugih Tani II Farmer Group. The empowerment outcomes enabled farmers to meet their basic needs, access productive resources, and participate in development. The economic empowerment conducted by the Agricultural Extension Agency in Sukaresmi successfully enhanced farmers' knowledge, skills, and abilities, leading to increased income and agricultural productivity.

Exogenous spermine delays the petal senescence of tree peony ‘Luoyanghong’ cut flowers by affecting physiological and molecular responses

The Orchidaceae is known as one of the most species-rich families of the plant kingdom. Orchids are generally declining in their natural habitat due to habitat loss and overharvesting for ornamental and medicinal purposes. Dendrobium Sabin Blue is widely grown as a cut flower and pot plant and is also popular for its deep violet-blue flowers. Developing these new orchid hybrids is tedious work; it is important to preserve them. Tissue culture and cryopreservation of plants can be employed to produce plantlets on an industrial scale. However, it may lead to genetic instability due to somaclonal variation. This study is to assess the genetic stability of regenerated cryopreserved and non-cryopreserved PLBs in comparison to stock culture PLBs using directed amplification of minisatellite DNA regions (DAMD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) DNA molecular analyses. In general, regenerated explants should be identical to the mother plant. Seventeen (17) DAMD primers and twenty (20) ISSR primers were used to assess genetic stability between the 4-week-old cryopreserved/non-cryopreserved PLBs and the PLBs of the parent culture. Finally, DAMD and ISSR analyses confirmed the occurrence of 7% polymorphism and monomorphism, respectively, in the regenerated cryopreserved PLBs. Future studies should include further evaluation of somaclonal variations for long-term maintenance of cryopreserved PLBs.

Lilies are grown for various purposes and rank among the top flower bulbs and cut flowers globally. Botrytis blight impacts lilies in almost all cultivation areas and is regarded as the primary foliar disease affecting Lilium spp. Botrytis elliptica is considered a limiting factor in the cultivation of ornamental lilies, being one of the most common Botrytis species impacting Lilium spp, together with B. cinerea. In the current study is described the isolation and identification of B. elliptica from Lilium sp. in Bulgaria. Manifestation of the disease include oblong purple-brown lesions on the leaves and crown rot. Initially, on potato dextrose agar (PDA) B. elliptica formed white colonies which turn gray with the aging of the mycelia and black sclerotia appear in older cultures. The ITS region sequences of isolate Krem Pernik are 100% identical to those of B. elliptica isolates deposited in the NCBI GenBank. The conidiospores are predominantly ovoid and ellipsoid, smooth, and translucent with average size of 23.95 µm in length and 17.61 µm in width, with a corresponding ratio of 1.37. The established general growth temperatures for B. elliptica isolate are as follows: minimal above 5°C, optimal 20°C and maximum below 30°C. The isolate form necrotic lesions on Lilium leaves, but not on Capsicum annum. The presence of economically important pathogen on Lilium is confirmed in Bulgaria, based on morphology, molecular and pathogenicity tests. Keywords: Lilium fire blight, disease symptoms, grow temperatures, pathogenicity

The cut rose, a globally traded ornamental flower, is highly perishable due to issues such as vascular blockage, inadequate water absorption, neck bending, petal discoloration, disease, and senescence. Prolonging the vase life of cut roses is crucial for enhancing their commercial value, and the use of preservatives in vase solutions has proven effective in achieving this goal. In this study, the ‘Samourai’ variety of Rosa hybrida, characterized by standard-type red flowers and widespread international trade, was used to assess the effects of plant growth regulators on delaying senescence and extending vase life Treatments included: (T1) Paclobutrazol (100 mg L⁻¹) + CaCl₂ (5 g L⁻¹) + Sucrose (1%), (T2) Paclobutrazol (100 mg L⁻¹) + 8-HQ (200 mg L⁻¹) + Sucrose (1%), (T3) GA₃ (75 mg L⁻¹) + 8-HQ (200 mg L⁻¹) + Sucrose (1%), (T4) GA₃ (75 mg L⁻¹) + CaCl₂ (5 g L⁻¹) + Sucrose (1%), and a control with distilled water. Paclobutrazol treatments effectively delayed flower opening, and also 8-HQ treatments inhibited bacterial growth in the vase solutions. The highest fresh weight and total solution uptake were observed in the T2 treatment. Minimal color changes occurred in treatments containing paclobutrazol compared to the control, which exhibited the most pronounced discoloration. Overall, the combination of paclobutrazol, 8-HQ, and sucrose demonstrated the most significant effect in prolonging the vase life of cut roses, providing valuable insights for enhancing postharvest management in the floriculture industry. By enhancing the longevity and quality of cut flowers, this approach contributes to reducing postharvest losses and supports economic sustainability for growers and retailers. Future studies could focus on refining the concentration and application methods of these treatments, also investigating their effects on various rose cultivars and other commercially important cut flowers. Additionally, assessing the long-term environmental impacts and cost-effectiveness of these solutions would further aid in establishing best practices for large-scale implementation.

ABSTRACT Stock cut flowers have become increasingly popular as cut flowers due to their attractive appearance and pleasant fragrance. The most critical parameters determining quality in cut flowers are vase life and flower quality. In this study, we investigated the effect of adding nano copper, along with sodium hypochlorite and nano silver, to vase solutions, considering their antimicrobial properties and ethylene inhibition potential. Different vase solution treatments, including 20 mg/L nano copper, 20 mg/L nano silver, 3 mg/L sodium hypochlorite, and tap water (control), were applied to cut stock flowers to examine their effects on vase life, relative fresh weight, and daily solution uptake parameters. Based on relative fresh weight and daily solution uptake data, vase solutions containing nanoparticles showed gradual changes without abrupt fluctuations in relative fresh weight and daily solution uptake, indicating an initial increase followed by steady decline over time. Nanoparticle treatments positively affected vase life and flower quality, with nano copper application showing greater efficacy compared to nano silver, resulting in a significant increase in vase life. Additionally, SOD, POX, and CAT antioxidant enzyme activities in nanoparticle-containing vase solutions were identified as antioxidant defence mechanisms that can reduce lipid peroxidation and protect plants against stress. Decreased SOD and POX antioxidant enzyme activities were observed in response to increased proline and CAT levels.

Chrysanthemum morifolium is one of the world’s four major cut flowers, valued for its ornamental and economic importance. However, high temperature stress during growth and development can reduce both yield and quality. Autophagy is a cellular self-degradation and recycling process that plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis under abiotic stress. This study aimed to identify autophagy-related genes (ATGs) in C. morifolium and its close relatives, analyze their structural and evolutionary characteristics, and evaluate ATG8 expression under heat stress. Genome-wide analysis identified 130 ATGs in C. morifolium, 51 in Chrysanthemum nankingense, and 49 in Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium. Genes within the same subfamily exhibited conserved structures and domains, with fragment duplication contributing to ATG expansion. Expression profiling showed that ATG8 genes were the most highly expressed and displayed tissue specificity, while heat stress induced their transcription, peaking at 48 h. These findings provide a comprehensive genomic resource for Chrysanthemum ATGs and indicate a potential role for ATG8 in heat stress responses, offering a basis for future studies aimed at improving thermotolerance in this ornamental crop.

Abstract Cut flowers are favored globally for their ornamental value, but their commercial value is limited by their short vase life, which depends closely on the postharvest preservation technology of cut flowers. Currently, complex types of preservatives and a variety of preservation methods have been used, but there is a lack of summary and comparison of them. In this study, 45 publications were synthesized and analyzed through meta-analysis and machine learning. The meta-analysis results showed that: (1) pulse treatments demonstrated superior vase life extension over conventional vase solution treatments by acutely enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity and suppressing ethylene biosynthesis, but their transient nature necessitated subsequent vase solution treatments maintenance for optimal floral appearance. (2) As unique preservatives, nanomaterials had advantages in water balance and antimicrobial protection, which required synergistic integration with other preservatives to further enhance antioxidant capacity and supply nutrient. (3) Plant species specificity needed to be taken into account when choosing the preservative types for vase solution treatment. The model prediction results of machine learning revealed that identical preservatives exhibited distinct differences when applied as pulse treatments versus vase solution treatments, indicating pulse treatment could amplify the preservation effect of preservatives. Based on the above results, an optimized implementation protocol was proposed: initial pulse treatment with nanomaterials, then species-specific preservatives addressed as supplement vase solutions treatment. Our verification experiments further validated that the optimized preservation protocol was effective in cut roses (Rosa hybrida L. cv. Carola). The findings provided mechanistic guidance for optimizing preservative combinations, and a theoretical foundation and direction for future research.